An online game called Connected Citizens, asked participants the question “How will government services evolve in the next 10 years?” and allowed them to post critical ideas or make “micro-forecasts” in 140 characters or less. UK-based writer and researcher Justin Pickard won two ‘mayor’ awards; one of his forecasts included “Force politicians and decision-makers to livestream, with regular Q&A sessions with the viewing audience.”

The game lasted 24 hours over Tuesday and Wednesday on a platform called the Foresight Engine, developed by California-based Institute for the Future (IFTF).

Another suggestion was made by a user from Canada who said that open data could be used to allow citizens to “build an app for Random Acts of Love and Kindness, so people can see live areas of need and be able to help their neighbour.”

Other games held recently included discussing the future of hospitals and finding ways out of poverty.

According to IFTF Research Director Jake Dunagan, data from the game will be publicly available. He also said that “games and internet conversations are not a replacement for tried and true ways to engage people and get things done, but they should not be dismissed as a useful tool, one that we will get better and better at utilising.

“Stitching these communities of thinkers together, turning good ideas into operational designs, and then implementing them broadly is how positive change will happen,” he added.